Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of filtering blood flow in a lumen by positioning an open loop filter support structure within a lumen; maintaining a position of the open loop filter support structure within the lumen using radial force generated by the open loop filter support structure; and filtering blood flow in the lumen using a filter supported by the open loop filter support structure. In one aspect, there is also applying radial force generated by the open loop filter support structure along the axial dimension of the lumen.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a coated endoluminal filter having a support structure; a filtering structure attached to the support structure; a coating over at least a portion of support structure. In another alternative embodiment, there is provided an endoluminal filter having a support structure; and a filtering structure attached to the support structure; wherein, the support structure is generally symmetrical about a plane that is orthogonal to the flow direction of the filter and contains a crossover point between two structural elements of the support structure. In another alternative embodiment, there is provided an endoluminal filter, having a support structure; and a filtering structure attached to the support structure; wherein, the support structure is generally symmetrical about a plane that is parallel to the flow direction of the filter and contains both ends of the support structure.

Abstract: In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a filter having a first structural member extending along and clockwise about an axis, a second structural member extending along and counter clockwise about the axis and a material capture structure extending between the first and the second structural members and across the axis. In one aspect, the structural members may be joined to form two ends. In yet another aspect, there is provided a filter having a first spiral shaped support member having an end; a second support member positioned to cross the first spiral support member and form a loop between the end and the place where the second support member crosses the first spiral support member; and a material capture structure extending across and secured to the loop.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a filter having a first support member having a first end and a second end; a second support member joined to the first support member at the first end and positioned adjacent the first support member to form a support frame; a material capture structure within the support frame; and a retrieval feature on the first end and on the second end. In one aspect, the first support member or the second support member has a spiral shape. In yet another alternative embodiment, there is provided a device having a first elongate spiral support element having a first end and a second end; a second elongate spiral support element attached to the first end and positioned opposite of a portion of the first elongate spiral support element between the first end and the second end; a filter attached to the second elongate spiral support element and the portion of the first elongate spiral support element; and a retrieval feature attached to the first end.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of deploying within a lumen a filter having a material capture structure and a support structure by positioning the filter within the wall of a lumen; and deploying the filter into contact with the lumen by placing the material capture structure across the lumen flow path as one support structure element extends in a clockwise manner along the lumen wall and another support structure element extends in a counter clockwise manner along the lumen wall.